Erik Hanson
From SoSH
| Born: | May 18, 1965 |
| Birthplace: | Kinnelon, New Jersey |
| Hometown: | |
| Height: | 6' 6" |
| Weight: | 210 lbs. |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1986: 2nd Round by the Seattle Mariners |
| College: | Wake Forest University |
| High School: | |
| Other Teams: | Seattle Mariners 1988-1993 Cincinnati Reds 1994 Toronto Blue Jays 1996-98 |
| Years with Boston: | 1995 |
Contents |
Overall Career
Erik Brian Hanson (born May 18, 1965 in Kinnelon, NJ), was one of the many Sox players that Dan Duquette was able to pull off the scrap heap and get a decent year or two out of.
Pitching for Seattle in 1990, only his second full year in the majors, Hanson went 18-9 with a 3.24 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 5 complete games, and 211 strikeouts over 236 IP, and was the "ace" of a team that also had a young Randy Johnson. This was an extremely promising season for the 25 year old right-hander, but Hanson was not able to follow up and spent the next few years as a LAIM (league-average innings muncher).
In 1995, just 2 weeks before the start of the season, Dan the Man signed free agent Hanson to a one year deal for $1,500,000. Though not projected to be more than a 4th or 5th starter, Hanson went on to be the Sox second-most consistent starter, after Tim Wakefield (who was nearly unhittable that year). His contribution was especially significant as rising star Aaron Sele missed most of the year due to injury, and Roger Clemens was getting fat and lazy. Hanson finished the season with a 15-5 record, 4.24 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 139 strikeouts over 186 IP, and a selection to the AL All-Star team.
Hanson was also the Game 2 starter of the 1995 ALDS, matching up against Orel Hershiser of the Cleveland Indians. He pitched an 8 inning complete game, allowing 4 runs on 4 hits, and struckout 5.
After his strong 1995 season Hanson signed a 3-year contract with the Blue Jays. After a disappointing year in 1996 (he finished 13-17 with a 5.41 ERA), Hanson was only able to pitch in 14 games combined over the '97 and '98 seasons, due to injury. He attempted to make comebacks with both the Angels and the Royals, but never pitched in a major league game for either club.
Hanson's Moment in the Sun
- 1995 American League All-Star
Trivia
- According to his 1992 Leaf Studio baseball card, Hanson's favorite singer is Luther Vandross and his favorite film is Fletch
- Sam Horn was 0-21 lifetime against him with 2 BB and 8 Ks [1]
- July 22, 1996: Toronto's Erik Hanson walked Cleveland's Jim Thome without throwing a 4th ball. With the count 2-2 the pitch is wide and Thome joged to 1B. Umpire Mike Everitt, a fill-in from the PCL, had incorrectly called the count 3–2 before the pitch, and Thome, who knew better, didn't correct him. The next batter Albert Belle hit a 3-run double for a 4-2 win. [2]
Transactions
- June 6, 1983: Drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 7th round of the 1983 amateur draft, but did not sign.
- June 2, 1986: Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 2nd round of the 1986 amateur draft.
- November 2, 1993: Traded by the Seattle Mariners with Bret Boone to the Cincinnati Reds for Dan Wilson and Bobby Ayala.
- October 31, 1994: Granted Free Agency.
- April 11, 1995: Signed as a Free Agent with the Boston Red Sox.
- November 1, 1995: Granted Free Agency.
- December 22, 1995: Signed as a Free Agent with the Toronto Blue Jays.
- June 16, 1998: Released by the Toronto Blue Jays.
- June 25, 1998: Signed as a Free Agent with the Anaheim Angels.
- October 15, 1998: Granted Free Agency.
- December 17, 1998: Signed as a Free Agent with the Kansas City Royals.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
